VMs Receive Guideline and Committee Updates

The May 8 meeting of the Westchase Voting Members (VMs) saw committee updates and discussions about a Glencliff guideline change.

VM Gina Coutras (Glencliff) began by explaining Glencliff’s proposed guideline revision for driveways and sidewalks. The new guideline, if adopted, will provide more specifics about what is allowed and not allowed in Glencliff. It also adds more options, such as cobblestones and pavers on the walkway to the porch and the use of clear sealants on sidewalks and driveways. VMs voted unanimously to approve the new rule in their first of two votes over two months.

Government Affairs Committee (GAC) Chair Rick Goldstein updated VMs on TECO’s work to curb power outages in Westchase. Goldstein said that he met with TECO and they had completed a review of the entire system and had expedited plans to trim trees near above-ground wires and had discovered some rodent issues causing power outages. Since the cleanup, TECO’s testing has shown no outages or glitches for the past several weeks. Goldstein asked VMs to notify him if they know of any outages or problems.

VM Nancy Sells (Harbor Links/The Estates) of the exterior paint palette committee stated that her committee had met and made a list of the items they want to review. She stated they will address colors associated with door hue issues that have recently arisen. Sells stated they may add some colors but they won’t have anything to present until July.

VM Michelle DelSordo (Classic TH) of the Metal Roof Committee said that they had met a few weeks ago and are carefully learning a great deal about roofs. She stated they discussed metal roofs with the fire department and county staff, who stated they had no safety concerns. They met with one roofing company and they will be speaking with another company. They will get samples, review solar roofs and hope to conclude their recommendations in the next 30 to 60 days.

Brian Ross, Chair of the Variance Committee, spoke to the group about a variance issue his committee has encountered three times regarding the WCA’s three-foot turf requirement guideline. As discussed in past meetings, some residents have bypassed the proper procedures to resolve water and mud in side yards by adding river rock or walkways, removing landscaping or adding French drains. Ross requested that the VMs define the best way to deal with the issue, which he stated also impacts rain water flow, neighbors’ yards and ponds.

Sells made a motion to create a drainage committee and allocate funds to hire experts to explore solutions. VM Gerald Pappa (The Greens) added, “Some people have forgotten about not landscaping around the entire perimeter of your house. Many people have put in French drains. It amazes me that spouting and down spouts were not required.”

The vote to form a drainage committee was unanimous and WCA President Ruben Collazo said he would begin to solicit volunteers to join the committee.

Westchase Community Association (WCA) Director Ashley Wait-Woodcock brought up concerns about estate sales in Westchase, which may not be held without written permission by the board. Wait-Woodcock stated some requests have come before the board and they have been denied. In response to those denials, one suggestion is for residents to hold estate sales when the community-wide garage sale happens but this could be difficult for an out of state family member to coordinate.

VM Cynde Mercer (The Bridges) suggested that estate sales could be held with restrictions such as not putting items outside like during the garage sale and requiring people to go inside the house. Sells agreed, stating, “Nothing outside. Everything inside.”

VM Forrest Baumhover (Kingsford), also a WCA Director, agreed saying “Open houses are like estate sales, so the board would be largely comfortable with some guidance from the voting members.”

Collazo agreed to go back to the board and see what they would say about allowing estate sales within certain parameters.